There have been few NFL teams more successful than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the last decade.
Once known more for their fumbling and bumbling than winning in the 1980s and early ?90s, the Buccaneers have made the playoff six times since the Glazer family bought the team in 1995 and, most notably, won the Super Bowl during the 2002 season.
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That modern-day franchise is what the Ravens are up against Sunday afternoon in the season opener.
“Tampa Bay will be difficult,” said Ravens head coach Brian Billick. “They?re a playoff team with the best defense in the league. What a challenge. What an opening-day opportunity.”
Billick has a worthy counterpart who will be standing across the field at Raymond James Stadium, and a fellow Super Bowl winner at that. Since becoming a head coach in 1998, Jon Gruden has claimed 73 victories for both Oakland and Tampa Bay and has guided four teams to 10-win seasons. He was the youngest coach in the NFL history to win a Super Bowl, at age 39, when he led the Buccaneers in a romp over his former team, the Raiders, in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Offensively, the Buccaneers should be vastly improved over 2005, when their offense finished ranked 23rd overall in the NFL. The biggest standout was Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, The Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year. Williams ran for nearly 1,200 yards last season, scoring six touchdowns on the ground.
Quarterback Chris Simms, son of New York Giant great Phil Simms, made gradual improvements throughout the season and has receiver Joey Galloway at his disposal. Galloway caught 83 passes for 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005.
“They run the ball well,” Billick said. “They?ve got great receivers on the outside. I?m very impressed with Chris Simms, the way he?s carrying himself. This is a good football team.”
Defensively, the Buccaneers should be a tough nut to crack for new quarterback Steve McNair. He will pursued by defensive ends Simeon Rice and Greg Spires, and perennial Pro Bowler Derrick Brooks still roams the field.
Gruden said the Buccaneers have had the Ravens on their minds for quite some time.
“You start thinking about Baltimore once you get the schedule,” Gruden recently told the Tampa Tribune. “But it?s hard to put together any official thoughts in terms of the game plan until you know who?s on your team and who?s on their team. So we have been working on the Ravens for some time. Obviously, they?re a very difficult opponent to open up with. They?re a very unorthodox defensive scheme.”
Season opener
Who: Ravens vs. Buccaneers
When: Sunday, Sept. 10
TV: CBS, 1 p.m.
